Device for the Prevention of Overdose by Opiate and Depressant Users

ABSTRACT

An automated wearable device measure physiological signals, and when parameters which cause the wearer to be at risk are measured, the device delivers an antidote for a given medical condition. This prevents overdose or medical conditions from occuring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is medical devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Opiate addiction is the leading cause of death among adults under twentyfour in many regions of the United States. Opiates are powerfullyaddictive since they bind with greater affinity than the body's naturaldopamine. The majority of opiate users today start their addiction withprescription drugs. When they can no longer afford prescription opiates,they often turn to heroin use. According to the Center for DiseaseControl, 44 Americans die every day in the US from opiates.

Drug overdose is caused by a variety of effects on the body. Opiatesslow down breathing, heart rate, and drop blood pressure to fatallevels. The opiate user is impaired and incapable of self-administeringantidote such as adrenaline or naloxone. In addition, medicalprofessionals such physicians and emergency-medical-technicians areoften unaware of the causes of the loss of consciousness and mayaccidentally mis-prescribe the intervention procedure.

Much of the prior art is driven by the desire to deal with chronicconditions, such as diabetes, or constant medication for a givenconditioning, in order to reduce the labor associated with repeatedregular treatment.

Syringe-based injection systems exist in a variety of applications inthe public domain. Bryant Jr et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,227 describean infusion pump for the introduction of liquids intravenously. In U.S.Pat. No. 9,114,208 describes a medication delivery device with acartridge system. In U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,707 an implantable deliverysystem for bio-secretions.

The inventors in U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,650 have a precision piston syringesystem. In U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,047 a programmable injection system isdescribed by the inventors. These are all developments which seek toattain automation or continuous drug delivery. In U.S. Pat. No.9,061,097 Holt et al. U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,097 a wearable drug deliverysystem is described. it has a disposable cartridge system for singledosage use. Chong et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,979,808 describe an on-bodyinjection device. Sonderger et al. describe a device with a rechargeablesyringe delivery system. In another invention in the prior art, TremblyIII et al, U.S. Pat. No. 8,747,358 describe an injection system withmanual control instead of automation. This allows control by the patientor care giver, especially when the prior is disabled or unable to use aloose syringe.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to develop an automated injection systemwhich uses vital signs to be activated. Yet another object of theinvention is to develop a wearable drug delivery system. Yet anotherobject of the invention is to develop a device for opiate overdoseprevention. Another object of the invention is to develop a device whichradio signals medical professionals with information from an overdosingpatient. Yet another object of the invention is to block opiate overdoseby means of nasal spray vectored antidote.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a wearable band containing an electronic vital-signsdetector linked to an electronic activated drug syrette. When thewearers blood pressure and pulse drop off indicating an overdose, thesyrette with antidote is activated and administered automatically.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wearable band contains electrodes or other sensors to detect pulse andblood pressure levels. This data is sent to a small central processingunit contained inside the band. The device contains an injectablesyrette with medication which is automatically injected when the deviceregisters abnormally low pulse or blood pressure. When this occurs, aradio signal is emitted which allows for the wearer to both be located,and pre-diagnosed by medical personnel en route to the location. Theradio signal contains the location of the wearer, the blood pressure,and pulse, as well as an announcement that the condition is druginduced.

EXAMPLES

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, theunit is a rectangular flat device with lateral attached rods which serveas band attachment points. The device is 2 inches squared in surfacearea an one inch to one-half inches thick on it's profile. Therectangular device housing contains a small central processing unitwhich has wire relays to a radio-emitter, a gas-release valve, and twoblood pressure and pulse sensors. When the blood-pressure and pulsesensors measure values and frequency which indicate that the wearer isundergoing an overdose, the central processing unit simultaneously opena gas release valve which sends pressurized gas powered syrette into thelimb of the wearer, emptying the syrettes contents into the bloodstream,while simultaneously sending out an emergency radio signal indicatingwhere the wearer is, and what the physiological data is, and that thewearer is a drug user, to prepare the medical intervention.

The syrette is in the configuration of a thumb tac. The reservoir isflush with the edges of the cylinder, which when filled with compressedgas, acts as a gas-piston to drive the syrette down through a permeablemembrane, and further compresses the compressible syrette to inject themedication. Preferred embodiments include the use of noxalone andadrenanline as opiate antidotes. The central processing unit has a builtin battery or uses a small hearing aid battery to power normal functionand emergency activation. A small pressurized replaceable gas cylinderfits into a chamber which is connected by the syrette cylinder by asmall gas channel controlled by an electrically activated gas-releasevalve. The central processing unit only activates the valve release aswell as the radio emitter in critical physiological function declinespast acceptable levels. Once this occurs, pressurized gas is releasedfrom the compressed gas cylinder via a gas release valve controlled bythe central processing unit. This gas plunges the syrette into thewearer, and further gas compression collapses the reservoir injectingthe drug. The radio emitter simultaneously emits a signal.

In another preferred embodiment the opiate antidote medicine is suppliedas a nasal mist via a mask or a nose-clip.

In another preferred embodiment an armband holds a syringe box which isheld flat while not activated, and is pulled into a perpendicularposition by a tightening retractable armband and further compressed toinject the antidote(s) into the wearer.

The information obtained by the monitoring device are analyzed by thedevice computer central processing unit and a diagnosis can be madeaccording to preset algorithms. It then trigger the delivery of thetreatment drugs. There may be multiples drugs contained in one deliverysystem for several different emergency conditions.

This device may be synchronized with an automatic external defibrilatorduring cardio-pulmonary recessitation in order to automaticallyadminister medication when needed.

1. An arm or leg-band which carries an opiate overdose antidote syringeand is controlled by a vital sign monitoring central processing unitwhich activates injecting the wearer in overdose with antidote.
 2. Theclaim in 1 where the activation of the injection is coupled with radioemissions from the device which give real time medical information toincoming emergency medical professionals.
 3. A nose clip with abreathing sensor activated release of opiate overdose antidote as anasal mist directly into the sinuses.
 4. An armband which carried asyringe box at rest and moves it into place vertically aligned with thebody surface and is then compressed and injected into the arm where theband-held device is worn delivering opiate anti-overdose drugs when aautomatic cable retraction system is activated by a physiological sensorwhile emitting radio medical information.
 5. A face mask which releasesa mist of opiate overdose antidote as a nasal mist into the mask whileemitting radio signals with medial information about the wearer whensensors detect overdose.
 6. The vital signs in claims 1-5 where thevital signs are monitored pulse between 60-100, systolic BP above 90,Pulse Oxymetry above eighty five, normal air flow. When the deviation istoo great, the delivery system is activated then a radio-signal alarm isgenerated alerting emergency medical technicians.
 7. The claim in 1where the antidote is Injection of epinephrine for an allergic reaction.8. The claim in 2 where the antidote is Injection of epinephrine for anallergic reaction
 9. The claim in 1 where the antidote is glucagon whenthe monitored blood sugar is too low or of insulin when the sugar isdangerously high.
 10. The claim in 2 where the antidote is glucagon whenthe monitored blood sugar is too low or of insulin when the sugar isdangerously high.
 11. The claim in 1 where the antidote is a steroidwhen needed in asthma, allergic reaction, shock with hypotension. 12.The claim in 2 where the antidote is a steroids when needed in asthma,allergic reaction, shock with hypotension.
 13. The claim 1 in where theantidote is lidocaine when there are multiple irregular heartbeats incase of acute heart disease.
 14. The claim in 2 where the antidote islidocaine when there are multiple irregular heartbeats in case of acuteheart disease.
 15. The claim in 1 where the antidote is injection ofdifferent antiarrhythmic drugs according to the EKG rhythm.
 16. Theclaim in 2 where the antidote injection of different antiarrhythmicdrugs according to the EKG rhythm.
 17. The claim in 1 where the antidoteis injection of thrombolytic drug during an acute heart attack or astroke.
 18. The claim in 2 where the antidote is injection ofthrombolytic drug during an acute heart attack or a stroke.
 19. Theclaim in 1 where the antidote is injection of blood pressure loweringdrugs when the BP is dangerously high.
 20. The claim in 2 where theantidote is injection of blood pressure lowering drugs when the BP isdangerously high.
 21. The claim in 1 where the antidote is atropine whenthe pulse is too low.
 22. The claim in 2 where the antidote is atropinewhen the pulse is too low.
 23. The claim in 1 where the patient who haverecurrent seizures may wear this device which can inject anti-seizuresdrugs during an acute episode of convulsions when the patient isunconscious.
 24. The claim in 2 where the patient who have recurrentseizures may wear this device which can inject anti-seizures drugsduring an acute episode of convulsions when the patient is unconscious.